Make this flavor packed Red Pesto with Walnuts (Pesto Rosso) in just 10 minutes with 5 ingredients and you will never go back to store bought pesto again. With sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, fresh basil and parmesan this pesto is perfect with pasta, on top of bread and as a sauce for just about anything.
Jump to:
Red Pesto or Pesto Rosso is such a great sauce to know how to make - simple, delicious and so versatile. This sun-dried tomato pesto is great for a quick pasta lunch, a last minute appetizer or to make your breakfast sandwiches extra special!
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick and all done in 10 minutes - or less. So you can make it in the time your pasta cooks!
- It's easy - just shred the Parmesan, then throw it all in a food processor
- Packed with all the best flavors - basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese...
- It stores really well and is usually good for a few weeks in the fridge, and for months in the freezer
What you need to make Pesto Rosso
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Walnuts should be unroasted and without salt - and can be switched for another type of nut, for example cashews, macadamias, almonds or pine nuts
- Garlic can be skipped
- Parmesan cheese is generally not vegetarian as it contains animal rennet, but you can switch it for a vegetarian Italian "Parmesan-style" hard cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil - check the label to make sure they don't have too much seasoning - a touch of garlic or basil will work, but avoid other flavors.
- Dry-packed vs oil-packed sun dried tomatoes - you can use either, but if using dry-packed you will need to add more olive oil, probably about ¼ or so more than stated in the recipe.
- Olive oil might need to be added, depending on the consistency you're after and how much oil is in the jar of sun-dried tomatoes
How to make it
- Place sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor. Make sure to reserve the oil.
- Add shredded parmesan
- Add walnuts
- Add fresh basil leaves
- Cover and mix for 1-2 minutes, then check to see that everything is well chopped. If not, mix again.
- Pour in the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
- Cover and mix again, for about 30 seconds
- Remove the lid, taste test and check the consistency. Adjust seasoning if desired and add more oil if needed - then mix again if you added anything. Otherwise, your Pesto Rosso is ready to serve!
Tips & tricks
- If you don't have a food processor, use a handheld immersion blender, high-powered blender or mortar and pestle instead. If going for the last option, chop the walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes first.
- Make it thicker by using less oil - great for spreads
- Make it thinner by adding more oil or a dash of water - great for marinades
- For a spicy kick - add some red pepper flakes
- For a roasted touch - add roasted red peppers
- Even better the next day - the flavor deepens as it sits, so for best results make it a day or two before you want to serve it
- Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container - pour over a bit of olive oil to keep it from drying out. It's usually good for several weeks, but it can go bad before, so please look, smell and finally taste to make sure it's fine.
- Freeze it in an ice cube tray for easy use later
Recipe FAQ
What is red pesto or pesto rosso made from?
There are many version of red pesto or pesto rosso, but it usually has sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and some type of nut (commonly walnuts, cashews or pine nuts). In addition to this it often has basil, sometimes has garlic, and might have some raw or roasted red peppers.
What is the difference between red and green pesto?
The main difference between them is sun-dried tomatoes - red has them, green doesn't. Apart from that they can have pretty much the same ingredients, with the same common variations.
Does red pesto taste different?
Yes, since red pesto or pesto rosso has sun-dried tomatoes it is sweeter and more umami rich than green pesto.
Can I use red pesto instead of green?
This depends on the recipe. For most recipes you can use red pesto instead of green, but the flavor will change.
What do you use Pesto Rosso for?
This pesto is so versatile and you won't have any trouble making away with it. Here are some of my favorite pesto recipes:
with Halloumi
with Roasted Veggies
with Red Pesto
- Pasta - mix it in with the hot al dente pasta and some of the pasta water to create a super creamy sauce. Either stop there, or add veggies or your protein of choice - I always come back to this Red Pesto Pasta with Roasted Veggies.
- Pizza - instead of the red sauce on the bottom of your pizza, or a few spoonfuls on top after it comes out of the oven. To use as the base sauce you might want to thin it out with some extra olive oil or a dash of water.
- Wraps - spread all over like I did for everyone's favorite Vegetarian Wraps with Halloumi
- Appetizer - top crostinis with red pesto and tapenade, fill mushrooms with it or incorporate into a cheese platter and serve with crackers
- Dip - with a side of bread or veggies
- Sandwiches - delicious on top of a piece of soft Mediterranean style bread. Or switch out the tapenade in a Vegetarian Sandwich with Feta cheese and Jalapeños.
- Salad - top with a few spoonfuls
- Marinade - add some extra oil or water to make it thinner, then marinate beef, pork, chicken or salmon in it before your next barbecue
- Sauce - thick or thin, it's great on top of basically anything
More quick and easy spreads
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Red Pesto with Walnuts
Print RateServings: 8 (2 tablespoon per serving)
Calories: 274kcal
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Active cooking time 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- â…” cups parmesan shredded
- 2 cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil weight excl. oil
- 50 fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup walnuts unroasted & without salt
- 1 garlic clove optional
- 2 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomatoes more or less to desired consistency
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except the sun-dried tomato oil to a food processer and mix until all ingredients are at your desired coarseness.⅔ cups parmesan, 2 cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil, 50 fresh basil leaves, 1 cup walnuts, 1 garlic clove
- Add in the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes (or add olive oil if this is not enough). Mix, check consistency, and add more olive oil if desired. Serve!2 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
Video
Notes
Â
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Walnuts should be unroasted and without salt - and can be switched for another type of nut, for example cashews, macadamias, almonds or pine nuts
- Garlic can be skipped
- Parmesan cheese is generally not vegetarian as it contains animal rennet, but you can switch it for a vegetarian Italian "Parmesan-style" hard cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil - check the label to make sure they don't have too much seasoning - a touch of garlic or basil will work, but avoid other flavors.
- Dry-packed vs oil-packed sun dried tomatoes - you can use either, but if using dry-packed you will need to add more olive oil, probably about ¼ or so more than stated in the recipe.
- Olive oil might need to be added, depending on the consistency you're after and how much oil is in the jar of sun-dried tomatoes
Tips & tricks
- If you don't have a food processor, use a handheld immersion blender, high-powered blender or mortar and pestle instead. If going for the last option, chop the walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes first.
- Make it thicker by using less oil - great for spreads
- Make it thinner by adding more oil or a dash of water - great for marinades
- For a spicy kick - add some red pepper flakes
- For a roasted touch - add roasted red peppers
- Even better the next day - the flavor deepens as it sits, so for best results make it a day or two before you want to serve it
- Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container - pour over a bit of olive oil to keep it from drying out. It's usually good for several weeks, but it can go bad before, so please look, smell and finally taste to make sure it's fine.
- Freeze it in an ice cube tray for easy use later
Nutrition
Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 422IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!
Anya
wow I made this today and don't even know where to begin because it is out of this world delicious!! I have never had this type of pesto before but had all the ingredients at home so I thought I would give it a try and I will never buy pesto again. I have tried making my own pesto before and they turned out ok at best. but this pesto is to die for and so quick and easy to make. Can't wait to put this on every meal I have this week.
Beth Sachs
I absolutely love sun-dried tomato pesto. Such a versatile sauce. We love it on pasta.
Gina
Love this twist to traditional pesto! I often throw in sun-dried tomatoes when I don't have enough herbs for pesto, it's sorta like a mixture of pesto and tapenade - good on so many things!
Sandhya's Kitchen
I love a good pesto to swirl in my pasta. Love that you have used Sun dried tomatoes in it - Can't wait to try soon.
Dannii
Red pesto makes such a nice change from the usual green pesto. Great idea to use walnuts too.
Roses
It's so good. I want try to make it right now.
Elizabeth O
What a tasty post! I am so loving it. I would love to try this recipe and I really love pasta. Thanks for sharing it here.
Emmeline
Thank you Elizabeth! Hope you try it! 😃
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This would be all sorts of amazing tossed with pasta and a little parmesan cheese. I love simple pesto sauces, and love that this one is a little different with the walnuts!
Emmeline
Oh yes! Thank you for commenting!
Swathi
Looks perfect pesto nutty and crunch to pasta or as dip perfect treat. I am going to give it try. i am yet to try walnut pesto.
Emmeline
Thank you so much! Hope you try it!
Angie
I love pesto but haven’t tried it with walnuts before. I have to try it now because it sounds absolutely delicious!!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Angie! Let me know if you try it!
Monidipa Dutta
Sounds good. I will try making it as it sounds easy
Emmeline
Thank you Monidipa! Super easy! Hope you try it!
Byron Thomas
I'm loving this pesto! It's so simple and rustic. We love pesto in our home, but we don't make it as often as we should. I just find that pinenuts are a very common pesto ingredient and can make a simple and rustic sauce a little to expensive. I always have a bag of walnuts though! 🙂
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting Byron! Yeah totally agree about expensive pine nuts - I think that’s why I started using walnuts for it instead, way back!
Lata Lala
I have never tried red pesto earlier. This looks fab, flavor packed, ready in 10 minutes with 5 ingredients. I am sure no one will go and buy the readymade bottle laced with preservatives after seeing your post.
Sarah
The walnut pesto looks absolutely amazing.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Sarah!
Sincerely Miss J
I love pesto but I’ve never heard of walnut pesto! Never knew it was a thing. This recipe has me intrigued. May have to try it some time.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting! Hope you try it! 😃
Marisa Franca
What a marvelous variation!! Sometimes the green pesto doesn't color co-ordinate with the rest of the menu. I know, crazy as it sounds I color plan the meal. I love the visual appeal. This walnut pesto with the Sun-dried tomatoes looks wonderful with the pasta. We're making some homemade pasta today and we'll just have to include this recipe along with the pasta.
Emmeline
Haha I love it Marisa! More dishes should be color coordinated! (I do this as well...) Thank you so much for commenting & hope it turns out delicious!
Rosey
Pesto is so good. I've never had it with walnuts. I'd love to try it.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Rosey! Let me know what you think! 😃
Danielle Wolter
This sounds just amazing! I love sun dried tomato pesto - its goes great on so many different things.
Emmeline
Thank you, Danielle! Yeah I could have it on everything!
Claudia Lamascolo
I can just imagine how great this taste .. I love everything in it pesto is a favorite her and we love walnuts too!
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Claudia! Yep all my favorites in this one too 😉
Maureen
Such pretty pictures! I love the ease of making and storing this pesto.
Emmeline
Thank you, Maureen! Almost easier than going to the store 😉
Adriana
I just know walnut pesto is amazing. The combination alone just sounds so good. I cant wait to make this
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Adriana! Let me know what you think!
Lyosha
It must be so delicious! I have never tried it before but I am pretty sure I will like it. How come I didn't think of making it myself first place!
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Lyosha! Yeah it's sooo good. Not sure where the walnut idea came from but I'm happy I tried it!
Clare Minall
I love finding a new recipe to try. I’m always so scared I am going to mess it up somehow. This looks easy enough for me though. Thanks!
Emmeline
Thank you, Clare!
Kristen Frolich
I love sun dried tomatoes. I recently let me 2 year old try them and he inhaled them! I'll have to let him give this recipe a try. Its something we would both love.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Kristen! That's amazing haha, let me know what he thinks!
Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women
I love this post. Never thought that making pesto would really be this straight forward and quite simple. That was really highlighted for me when watching your video. Also love the various different ways this can be used.
Emmeline
Thank you, Nicole! Same here - always thought it was super hard to pull off but it really isn't 🙂
Sydney
I love pesto but I've never made walnut pesto! I'll have to try this out sometime.
Emmeline
Thank you, Sydney! Let me know what you think when you've tried it OK!